Third Newbury Racecourse building needs fire watch
BBCA third apartment building at Newbury Racecourse has been put under a 24-hour fire watch after defects were found in some of its external walls.
The discovery at Bregawn House came after an inspection triggered by similar materials found in neighbouring Carruthers Court and Chatham House.
Sovereign Network Group (SNG), which is the management company for Bregawn House, said it was installing "enhanced fire detection and alarm systems" and the safety of customers was its highest priority.
Newbury Racecourse said all other properties on the estate have recently passed the external wall assessments with no defects found.
The three buildings were constructed at the same time, using similar designs by David Wilson Homes before the company was taken over by Barratt Redrow.
The defect in the external wall during an inspection at Chatham House earlier this year triggered inspections in the neighbouring two buildings where the same defect has now been confirmed.
All three of the buildings are run by different management companies.
A waking watch is when specialist trained staff continuously patrol inside and outside to monitor fire risks.
Newbury Racecourses said all other properties on the - other than the three - passed the same assessment after being checked together in November last year.
Carol Bailey, SNG's asset safety and compliance director, said: "The safety of our customers remains our highest priority.
"We've identified defects in some external wall cavity barriers at Bregawn House which could affect how the building performs in the unlikely event of a fire.
"As a precaution, we're installing enhanced fire detection and alarm systems in the building and an interim 24-hour waking watch is currently in place.
"We've also completed a fire risk assessment of the external walls, and we'll continue to keep residents updated as safety improvements progress."
The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was "working closely with the management company to ensure that appropriate fire safety measures are put in place at Bregawn House",
Newbury MP Lee Dillon said "The landlord has put safety at the front. They've instigated a waking watch.
"They will commission a new alarm service. I think, most importantly for residents, while being safe while that work is going, at the previous blocks on the racecourse the leaseholders haven't had to pick up that cost."
